DECISION ORDER
ORDERED that the order is affirmed insofar as appealed from, with one bill of costs to the respondents appearing separately and filing separate briefs.
A motion to consolidate pursuant to CPLR 602(a) rests in the sound discretion of the court. Absent a showing of prejudice to a substantial right by a party opposing the motion, consolidation should be granted where common questions of law or fact exist. In addition, where actions commenced in different counties are consolidated pursuant to CPLR 602, the venue should be placed in the county where the first action was commenced, unless special circumstances exist, which in the sound discretion of the court, warrant placement of venue elsewhere (see, Mattia v. Food Emporium, 259 A.D.2d 527; McDutchess Bldrs. v. Dutchess Knolls, 244 A.D.2d 534; Rodgers v. Worrell, 214 A.D.2d 553; Gomez v. Jersey Coast Egg Producers, 186 A.D.2d 629). In this case, we find no basis to disturb the Supreme Court's decision to consolidate the actions in Kings County.